In a cross, flow-cooling tower the induced air moves horizontally while the water falls vertically.

Water flows through the fill media, which increases the contact surface, are as well as the contact time between air and water for better heat transfer.

Crossflow is a design in which the airflow is directed perpendicular to the water flow. Air enters through one or more vertical faces of the cooling tower to meet the fill material. Water flows (perpendicular to the air) through the fill by gravity. The air continues through the fill and thus past the water flow into an open plenum volume. Lastly, a fan forces the moisture-laden air out into the atmosphere.

A distribution or a hot water basin consisting of holes or nozzles in its bottom is located near the top of a crossflow tower. Gravity distributes the water through the nozzles uniformly across the fill material.